US-based Sprint will supply 2,000 Nextel handsets to the country’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be used in its nationwide vehicle tracking system.

The handsets will assist FEMA, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, and manage emergencies such as natural and man-made disasters.

The systems use Nextel Direct Connect technology to allow the agency instant and seamless and interoperable communications with first responder and law enforcement agencies.

The GPS navigation and tracking service, TeleNav Track, is also used to provide almost real-time information about the location of its mission-critical resources, including ambulances, buses and trucks.

The handset’s geo-fencing will also alert the agency if a tracked unit travels either outside or inside a defined geographic boundary.

The company will also provide integration and project management services to help the agency set up its vehicle tracking programme before the hurricane season begins.